Harlequins director of rugby, Conor O'Shea

Aviva Premiership: Harlequins 24 Northampton 10

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Harlequins’ comfortable victory over Sale Sharks at Edgeley Park yesterday ensured the Aviva Premiership number-spot with a home play-off semi final against Northampton Saints on the horizon.

Scrum half Danny Care and full back Mike Brown crossed the whitewash for Quins with Will Addison’s solo effort providing a young Sharks squad with their only try of the match.

The hosts started well in what was to be their last game at Edgeley Park before their move to Salford next season.

But Care gave Quins the lead in the 21st minute after diving over a bundle of bodies as the visitors continued to impress from the set piece.

Nick Evans converted the try before swapping penalties with Tommy Bell.

Brown added a second as he dodged through the Sale defence to touch down on the stroke of half time to give the Londoners a 15-3 half-time lead.

Evans slotted a further three penalties after the break to extend Quins lead before Addison struck back with five points of his own from 50 metres out having had an earlier try disallowed for a push on Brown.

A successful conversion from Bell saw the hosts take all 7 points but Evans had the final say via penalty as the final whistle approached cementing Quins place at the top of the table.

Meanwhile Sale have confirmed their place in the Heineken Cup following Bath’s loss at Welford Road.

Sale: Miller, Brady, Addison, Burrell, Cueto; Bell, Mathie, Imiolek, Jones, Thomas, Myall, Holmes, Bordill, Seymour, Easter.

Replacements: Cliff, Harrison, Ward, Taylor

Harlequins: Brown, Williams, Lowe, Turner-Hall, S Smith, Evans, Care, Marler, Gray, Johnston, Kohn, Robson, Fa’asavalu, Robshaw, Easter.

Replacements: Dickson, Buchanan, Vallejos, Guest